Lancaster boss Peacock: We’ll need everyone for tough month ahead

Lancaster City boss Darren Peacock is hoping to have a fit and firing squad for what is set to be a tough month in October.

The Dolly Blues head coach was understood to be closing in on a couple of new faces as the Guardian went to press with seven games in 30 days starting with Brighouse’s visit to Giant Axe in the Evo-Stik First Division North on Saturday.

City then face a big Lancashire derby at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday October 7 with Peacock knowing he will need plenty of options in the coming weeks.

He said: “I think the next two games are really important.

“Saturday at home we need to get a result first and foremost and that will take us into a big game at Bamber Bridge.

“I’m looking forward to the next month even though we’ve got a heavy schedule, I think it’s seven games in 30 days.

“Everyone’s going to be needed.”

The need for bodies was part of the reason that Peacock fielded a reserve side in the 7-2 defeat to Clitheroe in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy at Giant Axe on Tuesday night.

It meant it was a mixed week in cup competitions as it came on the back of a fine 1-0 win at FC United of Manchester in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The City head coach however defended his team selection in the county cup.

He said: “It was a young squad but it gave us a chance to look at players who are on the fringes of the first team squad.

“Some parts of our play were really good but a lot of it wasn’t good enough.

“We’ve learnt quite a lot about individual players. We didn’t take it lightly and I thought it was a good chance to have a look at players.

“We’re looking at other options as well but a couple of weeks ago we were really light on numbers, the bare bones really. “But we don’t want to put players into the squad that aren’t good enough.

“There’s no point just filling the bench with players just for numbers.”

One big plus point was the return to action of Simon Wearing who appeared as a second-half substitute on his return to action.

The former Morecambe youngster received warm applause having collapsed during a pre-season friendly at Euxton Villa in his last appearance. Peacock said: “It (his return) was a surprise for me.

“The first team lads trained before the game and he came in and I just asked him if he wanted to be on the bench.

“He doesn’t need any more tests at the hospital and he said he’d love to be involved.

“He had half an hour and I thought he did okay.

“It’s really good to have him back and the lads are chuffed he’s back.”

Peacock is also hopeful Rob Henry and Neil Marshall will be back available within the next week.